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If Barcelona’s plan was to observe up the win towards Mallorca with a second successive optimistic consequence and keep the momentum, it’s protected to say that they failed of their goal.
The Catalans, final evening, solely managed a draw towards Actual Betis and thus slumped to a different consequence the place they dropped factors painfully.
Robert Lewandowski gave the staff the lead early on earlier than Betis equalised from the penalty spot after an pointless foul from Frenkie de Jong.
Ferran Torres’ potential late winner gave the impression to be sufficient to offer Barcelona three factors however the staff crumbled underneath the stress and conceded an extra-time equaliser to let Actual Betis stroll away with a degree.
Barça Common brings you three takeaways from Actual Betis 2-2 Barcelona.
Some extent courtesy Inaki Pena
Inaki Pena made essential saves vs Actual Betis. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
Barcelona had been minutes away from taking all three factors at Benito Villamarin and solely a stoppage-time equaliser noticed them break up the spoils. That, nevertheless, doesn’t go to say that they deserved the win in any capability.
Barcelona had been certainly within the lead for the higher a part of the sport and didn’t path at any level, but it surely was Actual Betis who dominated the sport via and thru.
They created the higher possibilities, amped up stress on the Catalan defence periodically and attacked with intent, one thing that was lacking in Hansi Flick’s facet.
If Los Verdiblancos didn’t go into the lead at any level on the evening, the credit score goes to Inaki Pena because the teen stepped up and saved the risk at bay time and time once more.
Manuel Pellegrini’s facet had a golden probability within the opening minutes of the sport that the Spanish shot-stopper heroically saved. Within the second half, he was known as into motion extra repeatedly and needed to make a number of saves to disclaim the hosts.
Pena could have racked up simply three saves on the evening, however they had been all huge ones that saved his staff within the sport. If not for him, the scoreline would have been extra embarrassing and Barcelona could even haven’t had one level to indicate.
Searching for shortcuts
Barcelona’s type has dipped. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
At the start of the season, Barcelona’s assault appeared free-flowing with possibilities being created from each flanks and thru the center.
That, nevertheless, has modified in current video games and is not the case in Catalonia.
The Blaugrana as soon as once more appeared comparatively flustered and impatient within the buildup final evening, choosing probably the most dangerous cross as a substitute of the perfect out there possibility and it usually led to possession being misplaced.
Barcelona are visibly hurried of their buildup, not taking the time required to surgically deconstruct defences as they did earlier within the season and it may very well be the stress or the fatigue taking.
Additional, the staff is on a relentless decline when it comes to possibilities created via the center with gamers solely in search of the lengthy ball and the counterattack.
The Catalans’ buildup play final evening was virtually solely on the 2 flanks with nothing coming via the center. In contrast to earlier than, the centre-backs are not discovering their males with lengthy balls whereas the midfielders don’t seem as efficient in assault.
Flick has critical issues to resolve if Barcelona are to return to their greatest, for the staff requires a number of attacking threats and can’t frequently depend upon Lamine Yamal. Additional, in search of shortcuts in lengthy passes is just not the way in which to go.
From leaders to contenders
Barcelona have thrown away their lead. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
From being clear and sole leaders, Barcelona have slipped repeatedly in La Liga and the newest draw means they’ve only one win of their final 5 video games within the competitors.
At one level, they had been the clear favourites to run away with the title but it surely didn’t take lengthy for the time to come back when followers doubted if they might even stay on the prime.
It’s merely unforgivable for Barcelona to take 5 in 15 factors and the resultant collapse has allowed Actual Madrid inside two factors of them with a sport in hand. Evidently, Barcelona have thrown away their benefit cheaply.
What’s extra, is that Atletico Madrid are presently simply six factors behind Barcelona with two video games in hand. In the event that they win their video games, they may also equal Barcelona within the standings and it’s astounding how the staff’s lead has come all the way down to this.
The credit score Hansi Flick was given for turning round Barcelona’s state of affairs was certainly deserved, but it surely now seems that he has been discovered and is struggling to adapt to La Liga’s speedy adaptation.
If the supervisor doesn’t act rapidly, La Liga may very well be out of sight very quickly.
